Samuel Omang
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a new directive clarifying how the Nigerian national anthem should be rendered at public and official functions. According to the guideline released on Friday, only the first stanza of the anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” is to be sung during official ceremonies, while the third stanza is now formally designated as the national prayer.
The announcement, contained in a four-point document, seeks to standardize how Nigerians perform the anthem and prayer at civic occasions. The agency explained that the directive is in line with efforts to “promote order, patriotism, and consistency in national symbols.”
“Only the first stanza shall be sung during official government events, while the third stanza is to be recited as the national prayer,” the NOA stated. “All three stanzas are to be rendered only on major national occasions such as Independence Day, Presidential Inauguration, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day, and the inauguration of the National Assembly.”
The guideline comes months after the restoration of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the country’s national anthem — a decision that revived a 1960-era symbol of unity and identity. The anthem, which had been replaced in 1978 by “Arise, O Compatriots,” was reintroduced earlier this year following a new law signed by President Bola Tinubu.
The first stanza, now the officially recognized portion for singing at events, celebrates Nigeria’s unity in diversity and the pride of service to the motherland:
Nigeria we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
The second stanza, though not routinely used, speaks of justice, honour, and the duty to preserve a “banner without stain.” The third stanza, now elevated as the national prayer, is a plea for divine guidance and peace in nation-building:
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
Observers see the NOA directive as part of a broader campaign to rekindle civic pride and respect for national values. By introducing uniformity in anthem rendition, the agency aims to restore decorum to public events, where inconsistent versions or incomplete recitations have been common.
A senior cultural analyst, Dr. Emmanuel Olatunji, described the move as “a soft but symbolic reform that reaffirms the anthem’s moral and spiritual purpose.” He said, “Every line of the anthem reflects the aspiration for unity, justice, and divine guidance. Making the third stanza a national prayer restores a moral consciousness that public life in Nigeria often lacks.”
While many Nigerians have welcomed the directive as a necessary step to strengthen national identity, others believe the focus should be on improving civic education and accountability in leadership. For some citizens, the anthem change and NOA’s follow-up directive evoke nostalgia and national pride. For others, it raises questions about whether symbolic reforms can truly translate into practical patriotism and improved governance.
Civil society advocate, Aisha Danladi, offered a balanced perspective: “Symbols matter because they define how people see their country. But symbols must be backed by policies that promote unity, equity, and justice — the same ideals the anthem preaches.”
With this directive, schools, government institutions, and event organizers are expected to comply by singing only the first stanza at official functions and reciting the third as the national prayer. The NOA is also set to embark on a nationwide sensitization campaign to educate Nigerians about the change and its significance.
The renewed emphasis on the anthem comes as the nation continues to grapple with issues of unity, governance, and moral renewal. For many, the reminder embedded in the anthem’s lines — “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand” — remains as relevant today as it was at independence 65 years ago.